Wisconsin

ACLU seeks preliminary block on gay marriage ban

The American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction blocking Wisconsin's gay marriage ban while the organization's lawsuit challenging the prohibition continues.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit Feb. 3 arguing the ban is unconstitutional.

The organization filed a motion Thursday with U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb in Madison seeking a preliminary injunction that would essentially invalidate the ban until the lawsuit is decided. In a brief accompanying the motion the ACLU argued they're entitled to a preliminary injunction because they'll likely win the lawsuit and the ban imposes irreparable harm on same-sex couples.

A spokeswoman for the state Justice Department, which is defending the ban, said the agency will respond in court. A hearing has been set for March 27.